Premier League hits and misses: Arsenal look drained as Tottenham run out of concepts towards Newcastle

Arsenal stutter as fatigue units in

Arsenal rolled into St Mary’s like a facet prime of the desk that had gained eight video games on the bounce.

Once Granit Xhaka fired within the opener it felt inevitable that the floodgates would open. Southampton had no reply to the slick model of soccer that has acquired so many individuals speaking about Arsenal as critical contenders this season.

As the second half wore on, although, it grew to become clear that Arsenal had been unable to match the degrees of depth they’d produced within the first half.

Arsenal’s variety of makes an attempt on aim halved to 4 within the second half throughout which era they didn’t register a single shot on the right track. Their fall-off was evident out of possession too, with their variety of profitable tackles dropping from 9 to a few after the break.

Mikel Arteta’s facet have been in title-winning type because the begin of the season. The solely query mark has been in regards to the depth and sturdiness of their squad and whether or not they’ll be capable of cope with the rigours of one of the vital taxing seasons ever owing to the winter World Cup.

Sunday’s draw with Southampton was Arsenal’s seventh match in 23 days and it confirmed.

Arsenal shall be disillusioned to drop two factors, particularly contemplating the probabilities they missed and the referee’s determination to disregard requires a penalty for a foul on Gabriel Jesus by Duje Caleta-Car. But they continue to be in a powerful place, main Manchester City by two factors after 11 video games.

This season’s calendar is demanding on all groups. Competing on the prime of the desk and on all fronts makes it that a lot tougher.

Finding a solution to clean up his squad shall be of the utmost significance to Arteta if Arsenal’s title push is to have any longevity this season. The fatigue is beginning to set in.
Zinny Boswell

Hasenhuttl deserves credit score for tactical tweak

Ralph Hasenhuttl is used to strain by now, however even essentially the most cold-hearted Southampton fan would have certainly let him off the hook had his facet misplaced to table-topping Arsenal.

You acquired the sensation Wednesday night time’s recreation towards Bournemouth was a must-win for the Austrian. Sunday’s match towards the Gunners, not a lot.

A outcome towards Arsenal at St Mary’s appeared extra unlikely with the Saints lacking two key defenders. It was barely ironic they stored their first clear sheet of the season on the Vitality Stadium with out arguably their most gifted centre-back in Armel Bella-Kotchap. His alternative Duje Caleta-Car rose to the problem, however right-back Kyle Walker-Peters being compelled off with a hamstring challenge gave Hasenhuttl one other choice headache forward of the weekend.

The Southampton boss had a big determination to make. Starting with a again 4 with Lyanco filling in at right-back, Arsenal’s relentless strain within the first half compelled him to rethink – and he deserves enormous credit score.

He opted to alter formation, with Mohamed Elyounoussi and Romain Perraud working as wing-backs both facet of a again three in Lyanco, Caleta-Car and Mohammed Salisu. It was a transfer that gave the hosts extra stability and in the end paid off as they earned a formidable level.

Hasenhuttl is undoubtedly nonetheless underneath scrutiny, however two attracts and a win in simply seven days have given him some much-needed respiration house.
Dan Sansom

Marsch actually up towards it at Leeds

Four straight defeats for Leeds and no wins in eight underneath Jesse Marsch. Fans booing, gamers out of confidence and objectives flying in on the improper finish. How a lot worse can it get?

Well, check out Leeds’ fixture listing and it may very well be quite a bit. Next on their agenda is Liverpool subsequent weekend, then Bournemouth at residence the week after. Either facet of the World Cup break are Tottenham and Manchester City.

You do wrestle to see the place the factors are coming from, particularly given Bournemouth at residence will comprise plenty of strain.

In their final 4 video games, Leeds have put in various ranges of efficiency – however there’s a frequent denominator. Marsch’s facet ought to have been 3-0 up towards Crystal Palace however threw away their lead. Leeds had been unlucky towards Arsenal however gifted the Gunners their winner. At Leicester they had been abject however actually put objectives into their very own internet, and Leeds had been so open that Fulham may have left Elland Road with a hatful of objectives.

It appears that it doesn’t matter what Leeds do now, they can’t assist conceding by way of their very own means. Once and Marsch can disguise behind particular person error. Four straight video games? That is greater than coincidence.

A leaky defence was the story of the tape behind Marcelo Bielsa’s sacking – and his successor appears to be like to be heading down the same route.
Sam Blitz

Fulham are greater than Mitro

It was nearly inevitable that Aleksandar Mitrovic would rating on Sunday afternoon.

The striker had beforehand been concerned in six objectives in six video games towards Leeds in his profession – and the way in which he barged Luke Ayling out of the way in which to fulfill Andreas Pereira’s nook hinted at a private vendetta towards the West Yorkshire membership.

By scoring at a vital time for Fulham of their comeback win over Leeds, he reaffirmed his standing because the Cottagers’ man for an enormous second.

But, each on Sunday and in current weeks, Fulham are starting to point out that the Serb’s objectives aren’t the one motive why they’re as much as seventh within the desk.

Pereira is producing extra aim contributions because the weeks go by, as is Harrison Reed – who produced one other spectacular show at Elland Road after his heroics towards Aston Villa in midweek.

Willian is rolling again the years together with his ball-carrying capacity down the wing, whereas Joao Palhinha offers metal in midfield. Goalkeeper Bernd Leno confirmed in numerous moments on Sunday how efficient a big-game shot-stopper will be at occasions.

Fulham are as much as seventh and now three factors away from the Champions League locations. With three video games to go till the World Cup break, together with two at residence, how far can this crew go?
Sam Blitz